I was always very interested in the life sciences and after finishing up with advanced level biology in school, it seemed a natural choice to go to medical school.
After spending two years there, it became clear to me that while my interest lay in health, I wanted to be involved in the wellness side of things rather than on the illness.
I was also a keen sportsperson during school, playing tennis, table tennis, taking part in cross country runs and being an active swimmer, so I began to explore course options relating to sports science and health.
I found a course of my liking and got my credits transferred to the UK and completed my BSc (Hons) in Exercise Science and Health from Kingston University. This was a great learning environment for me as I met individuals deeply passionate and committed to the fitness industry.
Most of my professors were or had been professional athletes themselves. I then decided to study nutrition further and went on to do an MSc in clinical and public health nutrition from University College London. The University has its own hospital, and the course was led by gastroenterologists practicing there.
This gave me a great working knowledge of the way clinical nutrition works in an actual hospital setting as well. After completing my degree, I moved back to New Delhi. I decided to open a ‘day spa’ which also offered nutritional consulting. This opened up a whole new world of alternative health.
Once it was on auto-pilot mode, I also gained more work experience by working as a nutritionist at Max Hospital here. I also worked as a sports nutrition consultant for a rural sports development academy. I have recently collaborated with one of the best spas in the country, Zehen at the Manor Hotel besides running my own private practice.
I am sharing two recipes: Pomegranate, Tulsi and Ginger mix and Cucumber, Wasabi and Greens smoothie. While pomegranates are a nutrient powerhouse and known to contain three times the amount of antioxidants than green tea, cucumbers are a rich natural source of silicon and give your skin a refreshed look instantly.
As told to Shilpa Raina
